Day Fifty-Two - When a Week Seems Like a Month

Wow!  So much has happened since last we talked.  We registered Faith for Paradigm HS, had a huge Valentine's Day party with my writing group at Classic Skating (we did bouncy toys and laser tag, as well), I had my 38th Birthday, I went to a writers conference @ BYU entitled:  "Life the Universe and Everything:  29" (by the title you could guess that it was a science fiction/fantasy writing conference), attended the Provo Temple with the Lord family and saw the Carl Bloch exhibit at BYU and CW was put in the Bishopbric.  And through it all I was able to run/walk at least 3X. 

13 of These Fine Kids are in TIWALC (Tewie's Intensive Writing and Literature Class)

Can you name them?

I have a theory about this time of year.  People are couped up and don't see the sun or move as much as they should.  That contributes to SADs.  I don't know it it's just me but, it seems to be that, there are more domestic issues on the news and people's tempers flair and get the better of them.  I am a firm believer in learning how to handle stress -- your own stress.  I destress with exersize, writing/reading and Vitamin B. 

If I can get on my soapbox I'd say:  I think that it is imperative to find the ways in which to destress and then do those things.  Carve out the time that you need and put your "systems" in place.  What I mean by "systems" is:  Do you have a system for the housework?  schoolwork?  work?  making meals?  personal improvement?  spiritual strengthening?  What other issues does your family need examined?  These are your systems.  Eveyone has 24 hours in a day.  Are yours run by your children, soap operas, the latest style.  We need to take control of our time and prioritize what is important and get those who love us in on our goals (so that we can be accountable).  I am so thankful for my family.  They are my support and strength.  They all bring something different to our family dynamic and I love them all individually.

OK - I think I'm done.  Here's my list for The Daily Mile.

2e

Day Forty-Four - Ran 1 1/2, Walked 1 @ Rec Center
(Valentine's Day - I also roller skated 1/2 hour - legs hurting!)
Day Forty-Five - Ran 1 1/2, Walked 1 @ Rec Center
Day Forty- Six - Nothing
Day Forty-Seven - My Birthday - I ate Pie and Chinese
Day Forty-Eight - Ran 1 1/2, Walked 1 @ Rec Center (with Faith)
Day Forty-Nine - Nothing - Saturday
Day Fifty - The Sabbath
Day Fifty-One - Ran 1 mile, Walked 1 w/ CW @ Rec Center (President's Day)
Day Fifty-Two - Ran 1 mile, Walked 1/2 mile, Sprints 1 mile @ Rec Center

Day Forty-Four - I'm Still Here - Valentine's Day

I promised I would write AT LEAST once a week and run/walk AT LEAST one mile each day.  No worries.  I have kept my end of the bargain.  Last week the big items on my plate were:
1)  Proofreading 14 short stories for the 24 Hour Short Story Contest and making the tough decisions (with my Mom's help (Thank you Mom)) who the winners would be. 
2)  Registering Faith into a Charter School - Paradigm HS.  This will be her fourth type of schooling she will have attended.  (Pre-K-Private, 1st-5th-Public (Gifted & Talented), 6th-8th-Homeschool, and now 9th-12th will be Charter) 
3)  Teaching my 1st Sharing Time on Sunday and meeting with the Stake Presidency on Sunday.  Both Spiritully filling and humbling.
With that in mind these are my days of The Daily Mile

Day Thirty-Five - 2 miles, ran @ Rec Center (Anna's B-day Party)
Day Thirty-Six - The Sabbath
Day Thirty-Seven - 2 miles, ran @ Rec Center
Day Thirty-Eight - Nothing
Day Thirty-Nine- Nothing
Day Forty- 2 miles walked with Faith @ Rec Center
Day Forty-One - 2 miles, ran @ Rec Center
Day Forty-Two - Nothing
Day Forty-Three- The Sabbath
Today - Day Forty-Four - I have plans to do it later in the afternoon

Wow!  Life flies by doesn't it.  Love to all Happy Valentines -- 2e

Day Thirty-Four - Nervous Energy - How do you Destress?

So, I destress, mainly, two ways - running or writing.  I am a writing teacher and yesterday I gave my class a writing challenge:  a 24-Hour Short Story Contest.  It began yesterday at 12pm and will end in about 45 minutes.  Since I am judging this competition and my kids are competing, I have not allowed myself to proofread or even know any of the details of their stories. 

I have been so anxious for them.  Watching them type for hours on end.  Stay up late and wake up early.  I am thrilled to see the absolute sacrifices that are being made in the name of writing, but I have so wanted to help that my anxiety grew to a point that I needed to escape.  So, I took off down to the Rec Center.  Since I did 2 miles yesterday I only wanted to run one mile today and find someone friendly to walk and talk with the last mile.  So, with all the anxiety on board I began running.  After awhile I realized that I was running faster than I normally do.  I clocked myself and when I sprinted the last lap I was surprised to find that I had run an 8 minute mile.  I was so pleased.  There were many older people there this morning so I found a nice petite German lady and we did a couple of rounds talking, until she had to go off to her class.  Then I walked with a school teacher and we talked about homeschool vs. public school.  That was fun!!

Now there are only 30 minutes left to the competition.  I hope my efforts helped them (it helped me destress =>)  Is this what you feel like when you're an "empty nester"?

Jacob and Joy after a night of writing - 24-hour Short Story Contest -  Let's do it again!

Day Thrity-Two - Nothing (Wednesday - my busiest homeschool day)

Day Thrity-Three - 2 miles, running @ Rec Center

Day Thrity-Four - 1 mile running/1mile walking @ Rec Center

Day - Thirty One - January Ended/February Beginning

Today it is a high of 20 degrees outside as we enjoy a sweep of artic air in our neck of the woods.  Running outside was not an option.  I took advantage of the temperature controled Rec Center and ran 2 miles.  I had run 2 miles at the Rec Center on Day Thirty, so I was a little trepidatious as I stepped on the track.  Again, music and resolve came to my rescue and the only thought in my head was, I'll run until I can't run any more or until I have run 2 miles - whichever comes first.  I was imagining how good it would feel to know that I could run 2 miles 2 days in a row.  I had thought that my knees would give out or I would end up an overstretched rubber band or a panting pile of sweat on the floor.  This might seems like a dramatic over-reaction to those of you who run every day.  But for me, a new runner, I am pushing my limits and I love what I am finding.  When I sprinted lap 20 and crossed the "finish line" my spirit soared. 

When I oringinally began The Daily Mile I knew it would be a journey.  I didn't know where it would lead.  Now that it has been 1 month and I have went from walking 1 mile to running 2 consecutively for two days, I'm looking forward to what the end of February will bring.  I actually looking forward to running or walking my mile every day, instead of dreading it.  It is a time I can feel good about myself and do something good for my physical body, which in turn helps other areas of my life.

I don't want to officially say that I will be running/walking 2 miles every day in February, but I really do have that goal in my head.  I think I think that by writing it down I will have to do it and I don't like failing.  I guess I could say it, and then if there comes a busy day I can fall back on my previous goal of one mile a day. 

Stay tuned - 2e

Day Twenty-Nine - The Sabbath
Day Thirty - 2 miles running @ Rec Center
Day Thirty-One - 2 miles running @ Rec Center